BATTLE FOR BEIJING CONTINUES IN DENMARK

A massive 370 riders will descend on the Ballerup velodrome in Copenhagen this weekend for the final round of the track world cup.

With all world championship and Olympic qualifying places still not decided, plenty of nations remain under pressure to perform.

20 British riders have made the short journey with worlds preparation a more pressing matter than Olympic qualification. Only the Madison has a small question mark remaining for the British team who are currently ranked ninth nation, with the top 13 qualifying.

Jonny Bellis and Peter Kennaugh will ride as a 100% ME team after two victories in UIV cup races, while Rob Hayles will pair up with Geraint Thomas in GB colours.

?We?ve not nailed Madison qualification but we can cement our ninth position,? GB Track Manager Shane Sutton said. ?It?s become a stage race. The people in ninth are racing the people in tenth, who are racing the people in eleventh. Everyone?s defending their own position, but it?s made for some good racing.?

Although not in need of qualification points, the British team pursuit squad will look to strengthen their position as favourites before they defend their title in Manchester.

Here, Olympic Academy rider Steven Burke is set to make his debut with the senior squad, ?Burkey very solid in the line, the guys have taken to him and he?s doing a good job,? Sutton said.

Burke?s presence is partly to allow Chris Newton to concentrate on his Points race qualification.

Victoria Pendleton is making her return to competition after a knee injury set her back, ?she?s had quite a bit of tightening of her IT band. She?s been getting lot of treatment and what with missing LA and picking up an injury she?s just getting back on track now.?

Chris Hoy also returns from illness to do the unthinkable and take his run of straight international Keirin victories past the 20 mark.

Elsewhere, both Rebecca Romero and Wendy Houvenhagel are chasing qualification points for the women?s pursuit, while BMX star Shanaze Reade will have another crack at the 500m TT, the event in which she finished fifth at the world champs in her first ever attempt at the distance.

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